damp 1 of 3

damp

2 of 3

noun

as in moisture
the amount of water suspended in the air in tiny droplets we bought a dehumidifier for the basement when the damp down there began causing mold to grow

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

damp

3 of 3

verb

1
2
3

Synonym Chooser

How is the word damp distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of damp are dank, humid, moist, and wet. While all these words mean "covered or more or less soaked with liquid," damp implies a slight or moderate absorption and often connotes an unpleasant degree of moisture.

clothes will mildew if stored in a damp place

When would dank be a good substitute for damp?

In some situations, the words dank and damp are roughly equivalent. However, dank implies a more distinctly disagreeable or unwholesome dampness.

a prisoner in a cold, dank cell

When could humid be used to replace damp?

While the synonyms humid and damp are close in meaning, humid applies to the presence of much water vapor in the air.

a hot, humid climate

When can moist be used instead of damp?

The meanings of moist and damp largely overlap; however, moist applies to what is slightly damp or not felt as dry.

treat the injury with moist heat

When is wet a more appropriate choice than damp?

The synonyms wet and damp are sometimes interchangeable, but wet usually implies saturation but may suggest a covering of a surface with water or something (such as paint) not yet dry.

slipped on the wet pavement

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of damp
Adjective
The appearance of fungi indoors is not uncommon, particularly in damp or poorly ventilated areas. Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Aug. 2025 Use a damp cloth or sponge to wipe off the paste, using gentle pressure and scrubbing. Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 16 Aug. 2025
Noun
Keep It Cozy Basements often have practical finishes like cement and tile to help ward off the damp, but that doesn't mean your lower level needs to feel like a utility room. Kelsey Mulvey, Southern Living, 15 Sep. 2023 Issues such as mold and damp can lead to respiratory problems and headaches. WIRED, 27 June 2023
Verb
Its carbon-fiber tonearm and damped aluminum platter reduce resonance for clearer, more dynamic sound, while the pre-mounted cartridge keeps setup refreshingly straightforward. Jacorey Moon, Architectural Digest, 5 Aug. 2025 Yet with two of the three drive modes—Bentley and Comfort—remaining unchanged, the real story here is Sport mode, which now increases suspension damping by an additional 15 percent. Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 2 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for damp
Recent Examples of Synonyms for damp
Adjective
  • Despite players on both teams suffering cramps on a hot and humid night, both teams were willing to wait it out.
    Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 27 Aug. 2025
  • After a hot and humid few weeks in North Texas, August will come to a close with rain chances and cooler temperatures.
    Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Moss does particularly well in full or dappled shade on moist, acidic soils.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 19 Aug. 2025
  • The male frog, measuring about 2.2 inches long from snout to legs, would have been preserved, but due to time constraints, it was instead taken to Germany alive and placed in a moist terrarium, according to the paper.
    Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 19 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Warm ocean waters supply the heat and moisture that generate hurricanes.
    Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2025
  • The same pattern that is bringing the extreme heat in the West, is also bringing monsoon moisture from the Pacific up across the region.
    Daniel Peck, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Design can nudge employees toward better creativity, recovery, and well-being, or leave them drained.
    Julian Hayes II, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2025
  • Treating the condition involves surgery to implant a shunt to drain excess fluid from the inside of the skull, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
    Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 17 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • To clean, start by wetting the inside of your shower.
    Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 20 Aug. 2025
  • My three-year-old sleeps beside us stripped from the waist down after wetting her own bed hours ago.
    Ellyn Gaydos August 11, Literary Hub, 11 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Many parents struggle with how to support adult children without dulling their drive or setting unrealistic expectations.
    Bob Sponseller, The Enquirer, 26 Aug. 2025
  • My sleep was fractured, my health declined, my decisions dulled, and my confidence wavered.
    Daisy Auger-Domínguez, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • The climate control system filters and perfumes cabin air; and adjusts for changes in temperature, humidity and elevation.
    Mark Phelan, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2025
  • The Metroplex’s hot temperatures and low surface-level humidity helped increase downburst winds late Tuesday, Barnes said.
    Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Eroding health protection capacity at the top further undermines trust at a time when it is most needed.
    Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Aug. 2025
  • Take a look Years of storms and erosion undermined the existing landmark area at the corner of South and Whitehead streets.
    Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Damp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/damp. Accessed 31 Aug. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on damp

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!